RELAXING with a book is one of the joys of a summer holiday. But rather than go for a trashy novel, why not choose a self-help book and take those first steps to changing your life for the better?

“A good self-help book is easy to read, has simple exercises and a feeling that the author is talking directly to the reader,” says Terence Watts, a psychotherapist and fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.

“Choose one written by an expert in that fi eld, follow the exercises, stick with the book to the end and a better life might well be yours.”

But don’t expect a quick fix, it may take time to form new healthy habits.

Terence says: “You need to practise a new way of being for at least 21 days to form a new pattern of living.”

Nutritionist Sarah Flower has written 15 books about healthy meals with a twist. Her latest publication aims to help you and your children kick the sugar habit.

The first chapter outlines sugar and its effect on your health, plus the sweet stuff’s hidden names on food labels.

Chapter two suggests ways to implement this lifestyle change and the following 200 pages are packed with delicious recipes.

Top tip: Ensure you have sugar-free snacks to hand when leaving the house so you’re not tempted to reach for sweet treats when peckish.

PH

Pause: How To Press Pause Before Life Does It For You by Danielle Marchant

You want to… BEAT STRESS

Pause: How To Press Pause Before Life Does It For You by Danielle Marchant (Aster, £12.99)

Five years ago former executive Danielle Marchant was so burnt-out she couldn’t get out of bed. Now a life coach, she’s drawn on past experiences to create a four-part guide to slowing down and getting more from life.

The book features exercises to measure stress plus techniques such as mindfulness and meditation to guide you to wellness.

Top tip: Take a “mindful minute” whenever you feel stressed. Count your number of breaths in and out for 60 seconds, use this number to breathe for a minute whenever you need to pause.

PH

Confidence Pocketbook: Little Exercises For A Self-Assured Life by Gill Hasson

You want to… INCREASE CONFIDENCE

Confidence Pocketbook: Little Exercises For A Self-Assured Life by Gill Hasson (Capstone, £8.99)

“Confident people believe in themselves, their decisions and their actions,” says Gill Hasson.

In her 100-page pocketbook the personal development expert gives you the tools to fi nd your voice and change your way of thinking.

The book’s three sections cover self-esteem, your comfort zone and how to develop social confi dence with sections including “making new friends” and “tackling bullies at work”.

Top tip: When you need a boost, return to what you enjoy and do it well. Use this confi dence as a foundation to move forward.

Forbes called Sarah Robb O’Hagan “one of the most powerful women in sports” thanks to her revival of US sports brand Gatorade.

But this book isn’t a dry corporate read. The 10 chapters chart the CEO’s successes and failures with humour, such as the time she slept in and missed a big meeting, and give you a template to create your own stellar career.

Top tip: Notice what you’re avoiding. This is an indication of an area in your career you haven’t mastered.

PH

The Five Side Effects Of Kindness by Dr David Hamilton

You want to… FIND HAPPINESS

The Five Side Effects Of Kindness by Dr David Hamilton (Hay House, £10.99)

“Kindness makes you happier, is good for the heart, slows ageing, improves relationships and is contagious,” says Dr David Hamilton.

In his new book, the leading expert on wellness focuses on one benefi t per chapter, mixing scientifi c research with his own experiences as a practitioner.

The book ends with a seven-day “kindness challenge” – which aims to make you want to become more kind and caring.

Top tip: Send a card to your former school teacher or university lecturer and tell them how much they infl uenced your life.

PH

Start With Your Sock Drawer by Vicky Silverthorn

You want to… GET ORGANISED

Start With Your Sock Drawer by Vicky Silverthorn (Sphere, £12.99)

Clients of “avid declutterer” Vicky Silverthorn include model Suki Waterhouse and television presenter Jonathan Ross, who calls her system “life changing”.

The book’s 10 chapters outline how to organise everything from yours socks to your fridge with sections on “letting go” and “simple living”.

Top tip: Give an item a last chance by putting it on display somewhere prominent. If by the end of the week the juicer/bike/coat is still untouched, it’s time to let it go.

PH

The Unmumsy Mum Diary by Sarah Turner

You want to… BE A BETTER PARENT

The Unmumsy Mum Diary by Sarah Turner (Bantam Press, £12.99)

Mum-of-two Sarah Turner revealed the dark side of parenting in her debut memoir The Unmumsy Mum.

This follow-up, which shares a year in her life, is just as funny, honest and truthful about what it’s really like to raise children.

The chapters cover January to December and are full of helpful advice, such as what to expect at a child’s birthday party.

Top tip: Stop comparing your life with the mums who seem to have it all on social media. Comparison is the thief of joy.

PH

The Nordic Guide To Living 10 Years Longer by Dr Bertil Marklund

You want to… LIVE LONGER

The Nordic Guide To Living 10 Years Longer by Dr Bertil Marklund (Piatkus, £10.99)

Dr Bertil Marklund is a Swedish medical doctor and professor at Gothenburg University.

His book identifies 10 ways to prolong your life including “movement for rejuvenation” and “improving oral health”.

Unexpected gems in this guide include a list of the best herbs and spices to promote vitality and the best position for sleeping.

Top tip: Get moving. A person who exercises for at least three hours a week is biologically 10 years younger than someone who doesn’t exercise at all.